The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, has urged the federal government to implement the renegotiated 2009 agreements held with the union. 

It stated this during a protest held on Tuesday on the institution’s campus, stating that it was a directive of the national secretariat of the union to all branches to express dissatisfaction with the government’s alleged neglect of their demands.

The FUTA-ASUU members, who carried placards, said a fresh crisis might soon hit Nigerian universities over the government’s inaction on the long-standing issues affecting their welfare. 

ASUU-FUTA Chairman, Pius Mogaji, who spoke to journalists in Akure, alleged that the federal government was treating critical issues affecting higher education recklessly. 

Mr Mogaji also accused the government of failing to address issues such as the re-negotiation of the 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement, sustainable funding of universities, and the plight of retired academic staff. 

According to him, the situation is already threatening the foundation of higher education in the country. 

He said, “Regrettably, months later, we are compelled to inform the Nigerian public that these legitimate and long-standing issues remain unaddressed, a trend that threatens our already fragile educational sector and faces the imminent risk of yet another crisis.

“The report of the Alhaji Yayale Ahmed-led re-negotiation, painstakingly concluded and submitted since February 2025, has been left to gather dust in the corridors of power for more than five months and the government has treated the document with reckless indifference, a clear betrayal of trust and an insult to the principle of collective bargaining. 

“To ignore it is to undermine the very foundation of higher education in this country. While we take note of the government’s planned meeting of August 28, 2025, let it be clear: the clock is ticking, and time is no longer on the government’s side.’’ 

He noted that the union could no longer wait in vain for the promises of the government, saying their patience had been stretched and hope dashed by the refusal to accede to their demands for the better university education in the country. 

He said, “Our patience has been stretched to its breaking point. Trust has been shattered, and only decisive government action can mend it. The NEC has resolved that all options remain on the table. If the government chooses provocation over responsibility, if it continues to play games with the future of our universities, then it alone must bear the consequences of the storm that will follow. The ball is squarely in the government’s court. Restore trust now – or brace for the inevitable.”